New Delhi [India], December 2 (ANI): The Indian Army has launched relief operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Ditwah, reaffirming India’s commitment to regional humanitarian support. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), IHQ of MoD (Army), announced that a high-readiness, self-contained Integrated Task Force from the Shatrujeet Brigade has been deployed to provide critical relief, restore essential services, and assist families affected by the cyclone.
ADG PI highlighted that the mission reflects India’s civilisational ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family”, with the Army standing firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need. The contingent includes specialised medical, engineering, and signals units prepared to deliver immediate and sustained relief.
Medical teams feature Advanced Dressing Stations (ADS) and Mobile Surgical Teams (MST), equipped to conduct major and minor surgeries and accommodate 20–30 patients at a time. Engineering units are supporting the restoration of infrastructure and essential services, while signals detachments ensure uninterrupted communication for relief efforts. Two rapidly deployable field hospitals and 70 medical personnel are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka to further assist affected areas.
Local media, citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), reported that Cyclone Ditwah has claimed 410 lives and affected 1.4 million people across 407,594 families, with flooding, landslides, and severe weather ongoing. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited Sedawatta near Colombo to review National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) operations, including evacuation and distribution of essential relief in inundated areas along the Kelani River.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, offering condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by the cyclone. PM Modi assured continued Indian support under Operation Sagar Bandhu, aligned with India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and its role as a “First Responder.” President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s swift and effective response, acknowledging the timely deployment of rescue teams and relief material.
Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication as Sri Lanka continues relief and rehabilitation efforts, aiming to restore public services and livelihoods in the affected regions. (ANI)
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